HOCKEYFOR ONLY the second time in 16 years, the ESB Irish Senior Cup final (Belfield, March 30th) will be an all-Ulster affair after Pegasus and Ballymoney set up a repeat of the 2001 decider by seeing off the challenges of Loreto and Railway Union in Saturday's semi-finals.
Pegasus, the holders, simply swept Loreto away in the first half in Belfast, going into the break 4-0 up, their penalty corners proving particularly productive, and running out 5-2 winners.
They might, remarkably enough considering they are All-Ireland champions, not have any representatives in the Ireland squad, but Pegasus are packed with former internationals, four of them - Suzanne Beaney (two), Claire McMahon, Alex Speers and Arlene Boyles - getting their goals.
The Leinster champions put up a spirited display in the second half, pulling goals back through Sarah Scott and Cathy McKean, but Pegasus, cruising towards their 11th successive Ulster league title, reached their 11th final in 20 years.
The game at Park Avenue was a closer affair, although Ballymoney, who beat Pegasus on strokes in the 2001 final, had the upper hand throughout. They took the lead through Diane McNeilland and after conceding an equaliser to Jean McDonnell, restored their advantage through international Bridget McKeever.
Lynsey McVicker stretched Ballymoney's lead after the break, and their place in the final rarely looked in doubt, Railway's second goal, scored by Sinéad Walsh, coming at the death.
As a mark of respect for the father of Irish international Eimear Cregan, Conor Cregan, who died last week, the league games between Catholic Institute and Cork Harlequins and Trinity and Hermes were postponed.
